Truly this man was the Son of God

John 18:38-40 38 Pilate said..."I find no guilt in Him.

John 19:1-42 1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him.

John 19:7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God." 8 Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

A response only the Son of God would give. Any mere mortal would have cowered at the thought of the loss of his life but Jesus had no reason to fear. Previously Pilate said "Behold, the Man!" but after this exchange with Jesus, Pilate was a bit more subdued and said "Behold, your King!" Even Pilate was afraid of what might God do to him if he had Jesus crucified.

But his superstitious fear was not greater than his fear that the people would spread the word that Pilate was an enemy of Caesar. His immediate situation was at stake and this proved to be a stronger incentive for Pilate, but to try and become an outsider to this Jewish affair he "washes his hands" of the situation and "Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified."